Damon Albarn's 'Everyday Robots' Nominated For Mercury Prize

Damon Albarn's 'Everyday Robots' is among the 12 albums nominated for the 2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

The former Blur frontman, 46, whose debut solo effort was released in April, faces stiff competition from poet and rapper Kate Tempest, 29, for her spoken word album 'Everybody Down,' alt-R&B singer FKA Twigs' 'LP1' and electro-funk duo Jungle's self-titled record for the prestigious honour and £20,000 prize, which will be handed out at a ceremony in London next month.

Speaking as the shortlist was announced at The Hospital Club tonight (10.09.14), singer FKA Twigs, 26, told BANG Showbiz: "It's cool, I'm excited. [When I found out I was nominated]I was obviously really happy, it's such an amazing opportunity for people to hear my music."

Asked how it felt to be nominated, Bombay Bicycle Club's guitarist Jamie MacColl, whose album, 'So Long, See You Tomorrow,' was shortlisted, said: "Fantastic, very good, wonderful, all the cliched adjectives I could use!"

He added: "We're going for a quiet celebratory meal and we haven't really planned further than that!"

The 12 nominees were selected from a total of 220, and this year's shortlist features seven debut albums, including rock duo Royal Blood's self-titled record, which became the fastest-selling debut rock album in three years when it was released last month.

Singer-songwriter Anna Calvi and jazz band Polar Bear received their second Mercury nods.

Simon Frith, Chair of Judges, said: "This year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist confirms that these are fascinating times for UK music.

"There are seven outstanding debut albums here, and five records by more established artists, all pursuing exciting new directions. What most impressed the judges was the inventive passion with which musicians explore music and emotional possibilities, refusing to be pinned down by rules or genre."

The overall winner will be announced at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show at the Roundhouse on Wednesday 29 October.

BANG Showbiz